Fairy Mother and Baby

Chapter 3 Enchanted Creatures and Their Realms

Some creatures hold special places in the realm of fantasy, perhaps best exemplified by the unicorn. For centuries, it has been depicted in paintings and tapestries and is likely more popular now than ever. Therefore, this chapter includes instructions for painting one as well as other exotic or ordinary creatures in enchanted settings.

For instance, the kitty on page 94 in this chapter represents all cats, so you may choose to make changes to the one depicted so it resembles a cat having special meaning for you. The surroundings and adornment elevate a beloved, plain black cat to the memorable setting it deserves. These demonstrations are opportunities to enter the magical woodland, ocean, and arctic realms of these enchanted creatures one magical step at a time.

2. Paint the Background

Mix Indigo and Alizarin Crimson. Using a 1” flat wash brush, apply clear water over the entire image. Beginning in the center of the picture with the 1” brush loaded with a very light tint of the mixture, paint in a circular manner outward, gradually applying darker tints as you widen the circle and reach the outer edges of the picture. Let dry.

3. Begin Shading

Using a #2 round loaded with a light tint of Winsor Blue, paint the lightest part of the background. Blend it with clear water into the previous mixture of Indigo and Alizarin Crimson. Let dry. Using a #2 round loaded with a light tint of Ultramarine Blue, paint the parts of the owl that turn from the light. Do the same where branches turn from the light.

VIGNETTE EFFECT

Create a vignette effect by beginning at the center with a light tint and painting in a circular manner outward, gradually applying darker tints as you widen the circle to the edges.

4. Shade with Payne’s Grey

With a #2 round, apply a medium tint of Payne’s Grey to the back, side, and legs of the owl that turn from the light.

Paint the branch shadows with a #2 round loaded with a medium-dark tint of Magenta and Ultramarine Blue. Paint details on the branches to emphasize their roundness with a #1 round. Darken the pattern on the owl’s back and side with a medium-dark Payne’s Grey tint and a #1 round. Apply a light tint of Winsor Blue to areas of the owl’s back, side, and side of the head that turns from the light. Let dry. Carefully erase any remaining pencil lines.

9. Finish with Berries and Eyes

With a #000 round and a medium-dark Alizarin Crimson tint, paint the berries beginning at the top, leaving white highlights on each. When the shine’s gone, apply a darker tint to some berries that turn from the light. Let Dry. Using a #000 round loaded with a mixture of Magenta and Ultramarine Blue, paint the berry stems.

Using Permanent Yellow Light and a #00 round, paint the irises of the eyes. When the shine’s gone, apply Chromium Oxide Green closest to the pupils. Let dry. Apply Payne’s Grey to upper parts of the irises. Let dry. Using a #00 round, apply a mixture of Payne’s Grey and Ivory Black to the pupils, leaving a round highlight on the lower right and a curved highlight on upper left of each one. Let dry. Using a dark tint of Payne’s Grey and Ivory Black, paint the rim of the eyes. Use a #000 round loaded with a light tint of Ultramarine Blue and Payne’s Grey to add curved strokes to the feathers around the owl’s eyes, beak, neck, and legs.

Darling Kitty

Cats are fun to paint, and even fairy cats love to find perches in unusual places, such as this flower!

BRUSHES

#2 round #1 round #00 round #000 round

WATERCOLORS

Permanent Yellow Light Yellow Orange Vermillion Winsor Blue Cerulean Blue Alizarin Crimson Opera Magenta Violet Ultramarine Blue Red Brown Payne’s Grey Ivory Black Sap Green Chinese White Raw Sienna

1. Draw the Image

Draw the image directly onto your watercolor paper, or trace your drawing onto your paper using tracing paper, graphite, and an inkless ballpoint pen (see page 11).

2. Paint Background Lights

Apply a very light tint of Permanent Yellow Light to the cloud edges closest to the cloud opening with a #2 round. When the shine is gone, apply a mixture of Yellow Orange and Vermillion inside the outer edge of the clouds, then Winsor Blue to the areas that turn from the light. Let dry. Using a #2 round, apply a light tint of Cerulean Blue to the opening.

3. Define the Clouds

Wet the remaining upper clouds. When the shine’s gone, apply a light tint of Permanent Yellow Light to the edges closest to the light, then add dabs of the mixture of Yellow Orange and Vermillion, creating contours to the clouds, then Winsor Blue to the areas farthest from the light. Re-wet if needed so the colors will blend. Let dry.

Working on the right side, paint the background clouds as before, gradually applying a dark Winsor Blue tint to the bottom using a #2 round. When the shine’s gone, dabble a darker Winsor Blue tint in areas so the background has depth. Repeat on the left side. When the background is completely dry, erase your pencil lines in the clouds.

HOW TO SHORTEN DRYING TIMES

You may want to use a hairdryer on low or medium speed to shorten the drying process. This will allow you to move on to your next steps more quickly.

4. Add Color to the Tulip

Using a medium tint of Alizarin Crimson loaded to a #2 round, paint the petal centers, making sure the pattern extends outward on each side. Using a #2 round, apply the same tint to the rear petals, using clear water to blend the color upward.